TV News South Africa

Making a pitch for entrepreneurs

A South African entrepreneur, Adriaan Gie, is putting R2 million of his own capital up for grabs in a new reality television show idea called "The Pitch". The concept involves bringing good ideas, capital and business mentors together for a 13 week live show where successful candidates compete against each other for the title of South Africa's best entrepreneur.

Selected participants get the opportunity to pitch for investment from Adriaan Gie, by presenting their business plan, and the requirement for funding. Finalists then compete on national TV with the opportunity to promote their businesses, with the assistance of business specialists and a dedicated mentor.

Participants enter by completing a non-disclosure agreement which can be downloaded from www.thepitch.co.za, forwarding it to the investor. Ideas are only submitted to the investor once the NDA is in place.

Tony Mallam of Cape Venture Partners says: "Despite all the advertising to the contrary, we all know how difficult it is raise finance for good ideas at an early stage of development.

"The venture capital industry is like a game of "hide-and-seek" which matches business angels, like Adriaan with dynamic ideas that require capital. The third component of mentorship is ingenious, and provides an opportunity for retired businessmen and entrepreneurs to put something back into SA business."

Contestants are not competing for a high profile job. Instead they pitch for a real share in a new venture with the possibility of 13 weeks of television exposure to get it off to a flying start: "There is not only one winner, all finalists end up with their share in a sustainable business"

The Pitch itself is pitching for sponsorship for the production and finalising the show concepts with production companies.

For more information contact Adriaan Gie on 082-331-6689 or adriaan@mbslifestyle.co.za

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